The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued an advisory directing independent milk producers and milk vendors across the country to mandatorily obtain registration or a license before commencing or continuing their food business operations.

In the advisory issued by FSSAI’s Regulatory Compliance Division from its headquarters at FDA Bhawan in New Delhi, the authority noted that several milk producers—particularly those not affiliated with dairy cooperative societies—and milk vendors are currently operating without proper registration or licensing under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.

According to the advisory, all milk producers who are not registered members of a dairy cooperative society and do not supply their entire milk output to such societies must obtain an FSSAI registration or license. Similarly, milk vendors engaged in the sale and distribution of milk must also ensure compliance with the regulatory requirements.

The directive comes in light of recent incidents of suspected milk adulteration reported across multiple States and Union Territories, prompting the authority to strengthen oversight of the sector. FSSAI has requested enforcement authorities at both the Central and State levels to ensure strict compliance with registration and licensing norms.

State food safety authorities have been instructed to direct Designated Officers, Central Licensing Authorities, and Food Safety Officers to verify that all milk producers and vendors possess valid registration certificates or licenses as applicable. The advisory also calls for periodic inspection of milk chillers used by producers and vendors to ensure appropriate storage temperatures and hygienic handling practices to prevent spoilage and protect public health.

In addition, States and Union Territories have been directed to conduct special registration drives within their jurisdictions to ensure that all eligible milk producers and vendors obtain the required FSSAI registration or license.

FSSAI further reminded authorities that it had earlier issued directions on December 16, 2025, requiring regular special enforcement drives for milk and milk products. Under these guidelines, enforcement agencies must submit action-taken reports to the authority on a fortnightly basis, specifically by the 15th and the 30th or 31st of each month.

The advisory has been issued with the approval of the competent authority and has been communicated to Commissioners of Food Safety of all States and Union Territories as well as Regional Directors of FSSAI.